U.S. patent application number 11/936347 was filed with the patent office on 2008-07-31 for digital intercom based data management system.
Invention is credited to Stephen W. Flax.
Application Number | 20080180213 11/936347 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39667293 |
Filed Date | 2008-07-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080180213 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Flax; Stephen W. |
July 31, 2008 |
Digital Intercom Based Data Management System
Abstract
A digital intercom based data management system and methods are
provided. In at least one embodiment of the invention the system
includes a digital intercom, a processor and a mobile RFID device.
The system can be implemented within a healthcare facility and
enables efficient and accurate management of data in a health care
facility.
Inventors: |
Flax; Stephen W.;
(Milwaukee, WI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WHYTE HIRSCHBOECK DUDEK S.C.
33 East Main Street, Suite 300
Madison
WI
53703-4655
US
|
Family ID: |
39667293 |
Appl. No.: |
11/936347 |
Filed: |
November 7, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60871344 |
Dec 21, 2006 |
|
|
|
60871356 |
Dec 21, 2006 |
|
|
|
60864628 |
Nov 7, 2006 |
|
|
|
60864626 |
Nov 7, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
340/5.84 ;
704/E15.047 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G16H 40/20 20180101;
G16H 10/60 20180101; G16H 10/65 20180101; G10L 15/30 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
340/5.84 |
International
Class: |
G10L 17/00 20060101
G10L017/00 |
Goverment Interests
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] The U.S. Government has certain rights in this invention as
provided for by the terms of Grant No. R44 AG019528 awarded by the
National Institutes of Health.
Claims
1. A digital intercom based data management system comprising a
digital intercom connected to a computer network, the intercom
comprising an interface for receiving and transmitting information,
a ultrasound transmitter and a radio frequency (RF) receiver; a
central processing unit (CPU) connected to the computer network,
the CPU processes electronic information received from the intercom
and transmits electronic information to the intercom, wherein the
intercom is capable of converting electronic files into audio and
graphical data, the files are saved to a database connected to the
network; and a mobile radio frequency identification device (RFID)
comprising an RF transmitter and an ultrasound receiver, the RFID
capable of exchanging data with the intercom, wherein the CPU
recognizes an RFID and accesses files from the database associated
with the RFID.
2. The system according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of unique
RF devices are associated with a plurality of assets.
3. The system according to claim 2, wherein the assets are selected
from the group consisting of health care workers, health care
patients, health care facility visitors, and health care
devices.
4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the intercom and RFID
exchanges signals, the CPU processes the RFID and intercom data,
accesses information associated with a particular asset from the
database, and transmits data to the intercom, wherein the intercom
transmits data to an asset associated with an RFID.
5. The system according to claim 4, wherein the data is transmitted
to a first asset, the data being associated with the health care of
a second asset, wherein the first asset is a health care provider
and the second asset is a patient.
6. The system according to claim 5, wherein the data transmitted to
the first asset is selected from the group consisting of scheduled
health care maintenance, medication prompts, patient vital sign
request, unscheduled health care maintenance, patient medical
history data, patient medical data, and health care provider
data.
7. The system according to claim 2 further comprising an
administrator graphical user interface (GUI) for accessing and
manipulating patient and health care provider data.
8. The system according to claim 7 wherein the patient data is
selected from the group consisting of medical data, health care
treatment data, medical history data, and healthcare provider
data.
9. The system according to claim 7 wherein the GUI displays a
color-coded patient data scheme, wherein data associated with
scheduled health care activities are associated with a different
color than data associated with health care activities already
performed.
10. The system according to claim 9, wherein the color-coded scheme
provides a current graphical state of the health care associated
with a patient.
11. A method for dynamically accessing patient data in a health
care facility comprising the following steps: identifying a first
RFID device associated with a health care facility patient and
identifying a second RFID device associated with health care
facility provider, wherein the patient and the provider are located
within a predefined range of a digital intercom device comprising
an ultrasound transmitter and an RF receiver, the intercom device
being connected to a computer network; accessing data files
associated with the health care patient, the data files saved in a
database connected to the computer network, transmitting the
patient data files to the intercom device, wherein the data files
are accessible to the health care provider for use in providing
health care related services to the patient.
12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the RFID transmits a
first RF signal and receives an ultrasound signal from the intercom
device in response to the first RF signal, a second RF signal being
sent to the intercom device in response to the ultrasound signal,
wherein the RF signal contains data associated with the
patient.
13. The method according to claim 11 wherein the health care
patient data files include historical medical data and scheduled
health care activities associated with the patient.
14. The method according to claim 11 further comprising the
following step: saving data to the database, the data being
received by the intercom device and transmitted electronically to
the database over the computer network.
15. The method according to claim 14 wherein the data is healthcare
related data specific to the patient.
16. The method according to claim 15 wherein files associated with
the patient are updated, wherein scheduled health care activities
and completed health care activities are logically separated.
17. The method according to claim 16 further comprising the
following step: displaying patient data files on a graphical user
interface connected to the computer network, patient data being
graphically displayed within a color-coded scheme.
18. A health care facility digital intercom system comprising: a
digital intercom device located within a plurality of patient rooms
within a health care facility, the intercom comprising an
ultrasound transmitter and a radio frequency (RF) receiver; a
central processing unit (CPU) connected to a computer network, the
CPU processes data received from the intercom and controls
transmission of data to the intercom; and a first mobile radio
frequency identification device (RFID) associated with a health
care patient and a second mobile RFID associated with a health care
provider, the RFID comprising an RF transmitter and an ultrasound
receiver.
19. The system according to claim 18, wherein the CPU accesses
patient data based upon a wireless data exchange between the
intercom and the patient RFID.
20. The system according to claim 18, wherein patient data is saved
in a database connected to the computer network.
21. The system according to claim 19, wherein the intercom provides
health care activity data associated with the patient based upon a
wireless exchange between the intercom and the health care provider
RFID.
22. The system according to claim 21, wherein event data is
associated with each patient data entry, the event data is selected
from the group consisting of time, place, event logistics, and
individuals involved with the event.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 60/871,344, filed Dec. 21, 2006, U.S.
Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/871,356, filed Dec. 21, 2006,
U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/864,628, filed Nov. 7,
2006, U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/864,626, filed Nov.
7, 2006, and co-pending Non-Provisional Patent Application titled
"Bi-modal Remote Identification System", attorney docket number
FT-34170, and filed on Nov. 7, 2007, each application is fully
incorporated by reference herein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to
data input and management systems. More specifically embodiments of
the present invention relate to digital data management through use
of digital intercoms and speech recognition methods.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Insuring the timely, complete and accurate entry of patient
data within a health care facility is of critical importance. The
appropriate management of patient data directly impacts patient
care, clinical compliance, and safety. The information is also
important to the facility for being able to obtain appropriate
reimbursements and for being able to avoid liability issues. In
primary care facilities, such as hospitals with highly trained
personnel, there are usually stringent procedures in place
regarding how and where the patient data is collected and how it is
entered into the medical record or database. Often, data is entered
directly into a PDA or small laptop computer carried by individual
healthcare workers. These devices are then used to download and
synchronize their data with the main database. In many situations,
patients are directly monitored in their rooms with sophisticated
equipment which is then directly tied into the main medical
database. When these systems work effectively, they allow
appropriate healthcare workers to easily obtain a snapshot of a
patient's status. While these systems are extremely effective, they
do have drawbacks such as being expensive to implement and they
require a dedicated and skilled staff to make them work
successfully.
[0005] Speech recognition technology exists in many different
applications. However, speech recognition equipment is usually
located at the site where it will be utilized. For example, if
speech recognition dictation software is installed on a computer,
then the system user would typically sit at that computer terminal
and directly dictate into a microphone connected to that computer,
thus insuring the best audio quality available for signal
processing. Another factor to consider with speech recognition
equipment is the overall recognition accuracy rate. While for many
applications, the statistical error rate for word recognition might
be acceptable, the absolute error rate is still high. For example,
with general dictation software the overall error rates can range
from 5 to 15 percent. For limited vocabulary systems with
non-speaker dependent capabilities, the accuracy can approach the
97 percent level. Similarly, for speaker dependent systems (the
system is trained to a specific speaker's voice) the accuracy rate
can approach the 99 percent level. While this appears to be very
good, in reality a one percent error rate is still unacceptable for
many applications. For example, a data entry scheme with a one
percent error rate as applied to a medical database would be very
unacceptable.
[0006] It would be advantageous to provide a method for high
accuracy speech recognition through use of a digital intercom and
novel radio frequency identification (RFID) that manages patient
and employee data within a healthcare facility.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the digital intercom based data
management system in accordance with at least one embodiment of the
present invention.
[0008] FIG. 2 is block diagram of an exemplary intercom in
accordance with at least one embodiment of the present
invention.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a flow chart for a method of recording data
through the digital intercom based data management system in
accordance with at least one embodiment of the present
invention.
[0010] FIG. 4 is a flow chart of an exemplary method of
incorporating an audio menu into the digital intercom based data
management system in accordance with at least one embodiment of the
present invention.
[0011] FIG. 5 is a flow chart of an exemplary method of recording
and associating patient data of the digital intercom based data
management system in accordance with at least one embodiment of the
present invention.
[0012] FIG. 6 is a flow chart of an exemplary method of continuous
recursive speech training of the digital intercom based data
management system in accordance with at least one embodiment of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0013] Referring to FIGS. 1-2 an illustrative example of a digital
intercom based management system 10 in accordance with at least one
embodiment of the present invention is shown. A digital intercom
based data management system 10 includes a digital intercom 12, a
computer network 14, a database 16 connected to the network 14, a
graphical user interface (GUI) 18, a central processing unit (CPU)
20 and a mobile radio frequency identification (RFID) tag 22. The
digital intercom is connected to the computer network 14 through an
Ethernet or substantially equivalent network technology.
Alternatively, the network 14 can be substantially different from
an Ethernet either presently known or later developed. A database
16 stores patient data files, caregiver data files, and speech
recognition library templates associated with each caregiver. The
database 16 can be a relational database and also includes an
integrated memory storage device for storing patient and system 10
data. The user interface 18 is connected to the network 14 and
allows for caregivers to locally access patient data files. The CPU
20 processes the data and information stored within the database 16
as well as data retrieved from the intercom 12 and the RFID tag 22.
The system 10 incorporates the bi-modal remote identification
system and methods as described within the co-pending patent
applications titled "Bi-modal Remote Identification Device", U.S.
Ser. No. 60/864,628, filed on Nov. 7, 2006, and U.S. Ser. No.
60/871,344, filed Dec. 21, 2006. The intercom functions as the base
unit RF receiver and ultrasound transmitter described within the
co-pending patent application.
[0014] A block diagram of the digital intercom is shown in FIG. 2.
The intercom 12 includes a GUI 24, tactile user interfaces 26, 28,
a base unit 30, audio input receiver 32, interface port 34, and a
speaker 36. The GUI 24 displays system 10 and patient-specific data
thereby enabling a healthcare facility caregiver to access
information related to a patient or the health care facility. The
GUI 24 can display patient health information, updates related to
healthcare, and facility alerts, among other emergency and
non-emergency information. The tactile user interfaces 26, 28 are
buttons, touch screen, or substantially equivalent device for
entering data into the intercom 12. The base unit 30 includes a
radio frequency (RF) transceiver and an ultrasound transmitter. The
audio input receiver 32 recognizes audio data input, such as
caregiver speech input, and enters the audio data into the database
16. Interface port 34 enables peripheral medical and health related
devices to sync with the intercom 12 and download pertinent health
and medical data. By example, the interface port 34 is an infrared
input/output device that communicates with a patient care
monitoring device such as a blood glucose monitor, an electronic
thermometer, or an electric weight scale. The data from the
monitoring device is input into the intercom 12 and saved on the
memory storage device 16 through the port 34. The port 34 can also
be a male/female electrical port. The speaker 36 converts data or
system 10 requests from a digital form to an auditory form
available for caregivers and patients to hear.
[0015] Privacy and security are important concerns for patients or
residents, which are maintained by the system 10, which can provide
another level of security beyond that of the RFID alone. A
biometric technique known as speaker verification is incorporated
into the system, insuring additional system and data security.
Specifically, every system user chooses a private pass-phrase, for
example `the dog barked,` that is known only by that individual.
Then, that individual "trains" the system by creating a unique
template for the chosen pass-phrase, based on their own individual
speech pattern. Then if an added level of security is warranted,
the user begins a session by speaking their unique pass-phrase. The
system, using the RFID information, accesses the pass-phrase
template for that individual and then tests it for a match. If
there is a match, the person could then proceed with the data entry
process.
[0016] Referring to FIG. 3, system 10 is initiated at step 38. A
caregiver tag is recognized in the vicinity of a patient tag at
step 40. The patient and caregiver are identified at step 42 and an
intercom 12 user is identified at step 44. The speaker verification
occurs at step 46. The verification process includes a request for
a pass phrase unique to the identified speaker, alternatively a
pass phrase is not required. If the speaker is not verified then
step 42 is repeated, otherwise audio information is received by the
intercom at step 48. A patient data file association is made based
upon the most proximal patient at step 50. Audio input data is
converted to digital data files at step 52 and sent to the
controller 20 at step 54. Receipt of the converted data by the
controller 20 is determined at step 56. If the data is not received
then the step 54 is repeated, otherwise the controller 20 processes
the converted digital audio data file at step 58. The speech
recognition library associated with the identified caregiver is
accessed from the database 16 at step 60. The speech recognition
library is compared to the converted digital audio data file at
step 62. The controller 20 requests the caregiver to confirm entry
of and specifics for the converted digital audio data file at step
64. A determination is made as to whether a response to the
confirmation request at step 66. If a response was not received
then a determination is made if a recognition error has occurred at
step 68. If a recognition error has occurred then a note is
generated and saved in the patient's file at step 70 and the
caregiver is alerted at step 72 and terminated at step 73.
[0017] If a recognition error did not occur at step 68 then step 64
is repeated. If an answer was received at step 66 then a
determination as to any changes that need to be made to the digital
data file occurs at step 74. If changes are necessary the caregiver
inputs the data file changes at step 76 and the file is converted
at step 78. The intercom generates an alert for the caregiver
indicating that a change has been made at step 80. A determination
as to any changes that need to be made to the digital data file
occurs at step 82. If changes are necessary then step 76 is
repeated, otherwise the digital data file is converted to a text
format and saved in the patient's healthcare file at step 84. The
converted digital data file is appended to the data file entry at
step 86 and can be accessed by any authorized caregiver.
Identification information is associated at step 88 with the file
saved at step 84. The identification information includes a patient
ID, a caregiver ID, the room number where the intercom 12 was
accessed, and the time at which the data was entered. The patient's
health record file is updated at step 90 and the primary caregiver
is alerted at step 92, which then results in a repeat of step
38.
[0018] The system 10 can identify various health care provider and
patient interactions. When a health care provider is within a
predefined proximity range of a particular patient the CPU 20
accesses the patient data and identifies any scheduled health care
activities which are past due or coming due for the particular
patient. The health care activities data is communicated to the
health care provider through the intercom, which can transmit it in
an audio and/or visual manner. By example, if a patient's vital
signs are required to be recorded every 2 hours, when a health care
provider is identified as being within the patient's room at a 2
hour interval it will prompt the provider to obtain the patient's
vital data. The vital data is then input into the system through
the intercom 12. Inputting the data can be performed by the
provider speaking the data or manually entering it into the
intercom through an interface such as a keyboard. Alternatively,
the device (not shown) measuring the patient vital data can be
connected to the intercom 12 or directly to the computer network
through a hard wire and/or wireless data connection, which allows
for automatic downloading of the acquired patient data. The CPU 20
can also prompt a health care provider visiting with a first
patient in a separate room within a health care facility, that a
second patient requires a particular health care activity. The
health care activity can be any health care related interaction
that takes place within a health care facility, whether it is a
hospital, nursing home, extended care facility or any other health
care related facility. Alternatively, the provider prompt relating
to the second patient can be based upon proximity of the health
care provider to the second patient's room, such as visiting an
adjacent patient room. The prompts can be distinct for different
types of health care providers. By example, the system prompt can
be programmed to prompt a doctor to perform a particular health
care activity, whereas a nurse or other health care provider can be
prompted to perform a separate health care related activity.
[0019] The system 10 incorporates an audio menu to enhance the
level of speech recognition accuracy for the system 10. For
example, the database 16 contains a master schedule for the care of
patients or residents. When the system 10 detects that a given care
worker is in the presence of a given resident, as based on the
detection of both of their RFIDs, the system 10 determines if a
scheduled event should be performed for that resident. Instructions
to the care worker are conveniently delivered verbally.
Consequently, instructions to the caregiver can be delivered by the
system 10 based on pre-recorded voice clips pertaining to the task
at hand. After the controller 20 selects the appropriate wave clip,
it can then be played through the intercom and directed to the
caregiver. Alternatively, appropriate text messages are stored in
the database in the form of physician orders. Using text-to-speech
software, the text messages are read and transmitted appropriately
over the intercom 12.
[0020] The GUI 18 is connected to the computer network and provided
for accessing and manipulating asset data. The GUI 18 provides a
color coding scheme based upon the current time and task state for
a health care patient. Various health care activities (tasks) can
be associated with each patient in a health care facility. The
color coding scheme provides an effective overview of the schedule
status for a patient at a glance, making it easier for providers to
administer health care activities to patients. Data relating to "on
time" activities, early, late completed, in process, etc. types of
activities are presented in a color coded ergonomic progression.
Scheduled activities and performed activities are graphically
separated for identifying tasks that have been performed and tasks
that need to be performed, at the present or in the future.
[0021] The GUI 18 can provide a daily, weekly, and/or monthly
schedule for each health care facility patient. Various data can be
accessed from the GUI 18, including patient health care tasks,
daily schedule data for each patient, patient medical history data,
patient data, intercom activity, and alternative health care
related information. The GUI 18 can alternatively be wirelessly
connected to the system 10, thereby allowing health care providers
to view and alter the data from any location.
[0022] Referring to FIG. 4 the controller activates an audio menu
at step 94. Patient information and data is entered at step 96 and
the patient's schedule and data file is accessed at step 98. The
patient and caregiver most proximal to the intercom 12 are
identified at step 100. A patient action item determination is made
at step 102. If there is not an action item then step 96 is
repeated, otherwise the action item is accessed at step 104. The
textual action item is converted to a digital data file at step
106. The action item audio file is delivered to the intercom and
the speaker 36 is actuated at step 108. A caregiver response
request is generated at step 110. Receipt of the response is
determined at step 112. If a response is not received then step 110
is repeated, otherwise a further action item determination is made
at step 114. If there is another action item then step 104 is
repeated, otherwise the sequence terminates at step 116.
[0023] An important feature of the system 10 is the way in which
the data associated with the caregiver's response is recorded and
confirmed. As the verbal templates for each individual are grouped
by their corresponding RFIDs, there are also limited subsets of
templates associated with every instruction or question transmitted
by the system 10. In this case, the limited subsets are related to
the possible range of responses that the system 10 expects in reply
to a given query. For example, if a question is asked that has an
expectation of a "Yes" or "No" response, the word templates used in
the interpretation of the response are limited to only that
individual's "Yes" and "No" templates. By looking for only one of
two responses from the template list, instead of having to search
through a complete list of responses, will greatly enhance the
statistics of obtaining a correct response. This is the verbal
equivalent of how data is entered using menu driven computer touch
screens. With a touch screen, a question is presented on a screen
with appropriate boxes representing the only possible responses.
Depending on the given response, a new menu page with different
questions and/or responses is presented. Response errors are
minimized since there are so few possible responses associated with
each question or instruction. Our verbal menu is equivalent to the
touch screen concept, except that responding to audio queries with
verbal responses is much easier and more natural than using
computer touch screens. By example, if one individual is
communicating with another individual in a noisy environment where
conversation is difficult, communication errors or
"misunderstandings" can occur between the two people. However, if
one person knows, in advance, that the other person is only going
to be saying "Yes" or "No", then there is much less chance of
having a miscommunication.
[0024] Referring to FIG. 5, a sequence for recording and confirming
a caregiver's input is initiated at step 118. The initial speech
library template is generated at step 120. The library is generated
by a predefined program for which the caregiver must respond to
various questions and provide speech identification. The library is
associated with a RFID device 22 and ultimately a caregiver at step
122. A caregiver entered speech file containing patient data is
entered at step 124 and the identified caregiver's library file is
accessed at step 126. The speech file is compared to the library at
step 128 and the controller 20 generates a patient data query at
step 130. A sub-library template is linked to the query at step 132
and the response is received at step 134. A determination of
consistency between the sub-library template and the available
responses is made at step 136. If the response is not consistent
with the available responses then step 130 is repeated. If the
response is consistent then the response data is recorded at step
138. A confirmation request is generated at step 140 and a
determination as to whether the request was received is made at
step 142. If the response was not received then step 140 is
repeated, otherwise the data is entered into the patient data file
at step 144. The controller 20 incorporates the caregiver audio
file and query response into the library at step 146, which
increases the accuracy of correct responses for future intercom 12
uses. Step 148 determines if there is another query. If there is
another query then step 130 is repeated, otherwise the sequence
terminates at step 150.
[0025] The system 10 incorporates continuous recursive training
technology for the speech recognition engine. Each user must go
through a training session in order for the system 10 to "learn"
the individual's speech patterns and to generate their unique
speech templates or libraries. When the user speaks into the
system, the speech pattern is compared to the appropriate series of
speech templates and a statistical decision is made as to which
word was spoken. However, that most recently spoken word can also
be used to generate a new template. Then statistical information
from the new template can be used to modify or adjust the stored
template for that word. Consequently, over time, the word template
will slowly be improved and will approach a best fit for that
word.
[0026] Referring to FIG. 6, a recursive training sequence is
initiated at step 152 followed by a speaker training sequence at
step 154. A speech recognition library is generated for the
caregiver at step 156. The intercom 12 receives and stores a speech
input file at step 158. The speech file is compared to the template
at step 160, which is followed by the calculation of speech
recognition statistics at step 162. The speech file incorporation
is calculated at step 164 and a revised speech library template for
the caregiver is generated at step 166. Receipt of new speech data
file is determined at step 168. If a new speech data file is
received then step 160 is repeated, otherwise the sequence is
terminated at step 170. The speech data file is the recorded audio
file received by the intercom 12 that results from a caregiver
entering speech audio data into the intercom 12.
[0027] Once the response has been spoken into the intercom 12 and
then compared to appropriate response templates, the system 10
plays back an appropriate wave clip to confirm what the system 10
had just interpreted. By example, the "Yes" or "No" answer scenario
is applicable. If the respondent answers "Yes" and the system then
interprets the response as "Yes", the system 10 then plays back a
message such as, "You answered `Yes`, is that correct?"
[0028] The operator responds with "Correct" or "No." At that point,
if the answer is "Correct" the system 10 enters the data into the
data base. If the answer is "No" then no data is recorded and the
system would repeat the original question and then try again.
[0029] All raw audio data passing through the intercom 12 will be
recorded to a hard disk 16. For example, if the digitized audio
information is sampled at 8 KHz, then a single 60 G Byte hard drive
could store all audio communications for more than a year, assuming
a 20% usage duty cycle for the intercom. Given the use of the
RFIDs, each raw recorded response would also be tagged with the
room number, the ID numbers of those individuals present in the
room and the time that the response was received. In the event that
there is a question concerning a given event, it will be possible
to reconstruct that event by retrieving the information based on
time, date, and/or the individuals involved.
[0030] While it is believed that all of the prior steps taken to
improve the speech recognition capabilities of the system will make
this situation rare, it is still important to have a fall back
position if the system does not recognize the caregiver's response.
Consequently, if a data recognition error is detected, the system
will repeat the query one time. However, if the second response is
also incorrect, then a flag will be generated in the data base and
the system continues. Because of the fact that all of the raw data
is recorded, it is a simple matter for a human operator to listen
to all of the flagged responses and then manually enter the
appropriate response at a later time.
[0031] It is also feasible to enter or store information that is
not actually part of the database itself. For example, if it is
desired to enter data into the system other than that relating to
the audio menu data, then raw messages can still be inserted into
the patient's or resident's record. Consequently, if a care worker
enters data into the patient's or resident's record, the care
worker will have the ability to push a button on the unit labeled
"Notes." The "notes" entry attaches a special flag to the file
indicating that this is a note for the file of the resident whose
RFID is present. Consequently, any physician or care supervisor
observing the data screen, can observe flags attached to the names
of those residents who had recorded notes. By clicking on a given
flag, the note is played back to the caregiver. This is analogous
to having a care worker record a written note into a patient's
file. For example, a care worker goes into patient's room and
notices that the resident has a large black and blue area on their
arm, possibly resulting from a fall. The care worker should make a
note of this in the resident's record and should notify a
supervisor of the observation. Unfortunately, busy care workers do
not always take the time or effort to record all of these
observations in the resident's record and may forget to notify the
supervisor of the observation. However, if the care worker only has
to simply press a button and then verbally state that "Mr. Smith
has a 4 cm bruise on his arm" it is much more likely to be
reported. At that point, pressing the button on the unit
automatically notifies the supervisor that a note had been
recorded. In addition to the recorded note, the care worker's and
the resident's RFIDs are recorded along with the time of the
occurrence. When the supervisor wants to check the notes, they
would simply listen to the recorded notes instead of reading file
notes.
[0032] The system 10 digitally modifies audio signals presented to
individual residents in order to optimize their ability to listen
to the messages. That is, often the elderly do not have normal
hearing abilities. For any given individual, these deficiencies are
often corrected by appropriately modifying the audio signal that
they are listening to, in order to correct for their deficiency.
This is routinely done with customized hearing aids. In our case,
the system recognizes the caregiver based on the RFID signals. The
controller 20 is capable of individually modifying the transmitted
audio signal to the given individual in order to improve their
ability to understand the message.
[0033] In an alternative embodiment, the database associated with
the system conforms to the guidelines set forth for SNF and CBRF
care facilities.
[0034] In yet another alternative embodiment, the system 10 can be
used to locate patients and providers for the purposes of verbally
communicating with them. Once a particular individual's location is
identified, the intercom closest to the individual can be activated
and two-way communication with another individual can be
established. Data relating to the time and location of patients and
providers can also be tracked and recorded for later use.
[0035] Although the invention has been described in detail with
reference to preferred embodiments, variations and modifications
exist within the scope and spirit of the invention as described and
defined in the following claims.
* * * * *